30 second SMS Equals $$

A 30 second SMS Equals $$

How a simple text could be the difference between $$ and a cancelled job/booking

(Profitable $ Marketing Techniques to Boost Conversion)

Just today I booked a surprise lunch date for our buddy’s 40th b’day at award winning restaurant Rick Stein at Bannisters, located within well known boutique hotel Bannisters perched on the cliff tops above the southern coast beach of Mollymook. Apparently a highly desirable location for an adult break away. We thought our mate and his wife could enjoy a lunch date while we minded their beautiful daughter– especially seeing they have no family near-by to call on.

Anyway, I tell you this because I was pretty impressed with their service. Let me tell you why…
Only 10 minutes after hanging up the phone I received a text on my mobile that read:

‘Dear Andrew, thank you for your reservation for 2, we look forward to seeing you on 21st of July 2010 at 1300. Kind regards, Rick Stein at Bannisters’

My first thought, seeing it was a surprise was, “I’m glad I didn’t give them my mate’s number. It would have spoilt everything!”

And my second thought was, “Wow, I’m impressed”.

Why was I impressed?

Because it was literally sent within 10 minutes of me hanging up the phone. A reminder service that doubles as a checking mechanism that I booked the right date/time. Now that’s service.
Because I was immediately excited about this lunch now that I had physical proof it was booked. I personally think this would reduce any cancellations because the customer feels connected to their up and coming outing. They’ve already taking their first bite of the sautéed crystal bay prawns with garlic butter and sipping a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Mmmm, take me there now!
Because it made me think about my own business and how my customers would feel if I did this to them. A plumber that sends a confirmation text as soon as they’ve hung up the phone. I ‘reckon there’s something in that. Do you know of any trade business offering this service? Would it WOW them? I bet it would.

It would take 30 seconds and a few cents to guarantee the booking.

Now I’m only venting that I didn’t selfishly give my kids to my mate and take Ange there myself (just jokes of course). Maybe next time!

Andrew Smith

Profit Is not a dirty word

I am not ashamed to say that I love making a profit in my business. I am addicted to seeing the figures every week. Watching the numbers to understand how far above target we have ended up each week, each month, each year. It is almost a game to see how much profit we can achieve above our breakeven!

In reading this the first thing that may come to mind is ‘what a crook’, ‘he must be screwing his customers’, ‘what underhanded selling must they be doing to make a profit every month?’. Well I have an answer for you my friend – firstly, what sort of negative mind trash is that? And secondly, if you didn’t already know it then listen up…

Money is not made through deceitful and sneaky behaviour but in fact through customer attraction to a professional business.

Fact is, it should be only those highly ethical, customer service orientated businesses that make money. And I mean serious money.

Why is that I hear you ask?
Because it is these businesses that put their customer first. They see ‘everything’ through the eyes of their customer. There is truth in the fact that all your customers want is for you to solve their problems once and for all and make their life easier. They will part with good money for a job well done, on time and hassle free.

If your soul aim is to supply your customers with what they want, then you deserve to be profitable, to make easy money!

We go out of our way to serve our customer, to treat them like a king or queen. For the best way to earn good profit is to deliver exactly what the customer wants.
I am sure you have all heard the sayings: ‘you get what you pay for’

‘If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys’

I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not want to be remembered as a ‘cheap’ company, nor do I want to be remembered expensive, but I am okay with someone saying ‘you get what you pay for’ in relation to our business for this simply means that you pay for exceptional service, guaranteed quality workmanship, friendly staff and a hassle free job completed right first time.
If you are a dishonest person that resorts to underhanded behaviour to make a buck or two, or if you have poor morals and values then don’t kid yourself to think that karma won’t get you in the end…

In fact, when integrity is placed high on my list of traits, the last thing I would be doing is risking the reputation of my business simply to make an easy dollar!

Quite simply - Profit is NOT a dirty word!

I have never understood the ‘tall poppy syndrome’ that is so ripe on our soil…the tendency to criticise successful people. I understand wanting to keep an ego in check (Russell Crowe cops his fair share of flack thanks to his arrogance) but for those that deserve their good fortune (Cate Blanchett – need I say more…), then leave your comments at the door.

What’s the cliché – ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all!’

New site soon!

Hey Guys,
Andy here, just getting our website ready to go live, very exciting, stay tuned!